EPIC Formation Flying Experience

EP137: In this SPECIAL PILOT VLOG fly along on an epic formation flying experience! Featuring the formation flight briefing, departure and landings at Tyabb Airport, four aircraft flying up the coast, and getting there and back in the Cirrus SR22.
Filmed with pilots and aircraft from the Peninsula Aero Club. The aircraft are 2 x Cessna 152, a Super Decathlon, and a Cessna 172. Thanks to Chris for organising the day, and pilots Grace, David, Jason, Gareth, and Steve for flying.
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VERY IMPORTANT: I am a private pilot and am NOT qualified to give flying instruction. This video, like all videos on this channel, has been significantly edited from the original source footage and is provided for entertainment purposes only. This is NOT an instructional video on formation flight. Many radio calls and procedures have been omitted. If you have any questions about anything you see or hear, please speak to a Certified Flying Instructor first.

[@StefanDrury]

Apologies for the reupload this morning, I had some audio issues in the previous vid. Thanks to all of you who commented and let me know. Hope you enjoy this one, it was one of the hardest videos I've had to make so far with 5 cameras rolling at any one time. But what a fantastic experience. Thanks as always friends, stef 👍

[@MarkEnsbeyMPR]

SENSATIONAL VIDEO MATE. What a great experience to share.

[@dargs001]

newb question, Why the freq' changes?

[@StefanDrury]

So we all depart with the local aerodrome frequency tuned in, then when outside of the CTAF boundary the lead aircraft switches the formation over to a 'general' frequency so we can all communicate. The lead aircraft then is the only one that monitors the public area frequency for traffic updates etc. But then when coming back into the aerodrome circuit area, all aircraft switch back to that frequency to hear traffic updates for aircraft going in/out of the field.

[@chickenaviation1018]

awesome video and also think your meant to squawk 3000 within 3 miles of ymmb :D 1200 for vfr outside 3 miles

[@ethanoost7936]

I also noticed that. Class G airspace VFR should be 1200. Its happened to me several times where I have just forgotten to change back to 1200. Its embarrassing when ATC calls you up and tell you to squawk 1200. It happens to the best of us. Specially on short flights. Great video BTW.

[@richardbentley9]

As a military flight instructor of formation I could care less whose looking for a Darwin Award. Just bothers me who might be dumb enough to attempt to follow your untrained example to a dirt nap Remember crossing a highway blindfolded and making it does not make a smart decision. Get trained!

[@memoirsofthemisunderstood8761]

So beautiful.....QEUE THE THUNDERBIRDS!

[@madcableguy]

they might want to close the inspection cover at 2:27!! Looks like a lot of fun. I just got back from 2 hours of lessons in a 152.

[@bendav]

I've done that before, but luckily caught it before starting the engine...

[@dodgydino1]

They should have to buy first round at the bar for that

[@mgrande465]

Loving the Vids! Just moved from Tyabb to Moorabin a week ago, I love recognising everything in these videos! Flown in every single one of those! Keep them coming!

[@ScottHekking]

That was incredible, thank you for sharing! Awesome cinematography too!

[@erfaaano]

Love it!

[@jeffboyack5387]

Anyone notice that the other plane started up with the oil door open?

[@cameronb2765]

any chance of seeing some more?

[@MinimumsAviation]

is dis mfs2020?

[@BigglesAviator]

Another great vid...thanks Stefan. My first experience with formation was the beginning of my flying career. Its the best part of flying in my experience. I went on to gain my Formation Endorsement and then Instructor as a result. Anytime you are in SA - give me a call. 4 Jabiru's and a Flight design CT at your call. Cheers Ian

[@gregsmith7023]

Hi Stefan and thanks for your uploads and content. I am a much more mature of age pilot than yourself though still enjoy the excitement of flight. This last video brought back many fond memories from the early eighties when as a newbie pilot I spent roughly 20 to 30 hours in that very Cessna 152, VH-TNV at Coldstream airfield under the guidance of Ian Sharp and crew. Happy Days indeed. Thanks again for your content.

[@camerond-x5s]

Wow!! That looked a lot more difficult than I'd expected, but I guess airspeed and the bumps have a lot to do with it. Great vid as usual, Stef. Thumbs up. :-)

[@JodelFlyer]

Fun flying and great video. Well done Stef. Alpine flying from the Nayland hill in the Jodel next?

[@derkiwi151]

What was it like getting back into a 152 after all that time in a cirrus? Carb heat - how quaint

[@StefanDrury]

It was good fun to jump back in, the C152 is pretty familiar to me from my initial training days. Apart from being a little bit snug, it was really nice to be back in one of the classics.

[@derkiwi151]

We have 5 of them in really great condition (inside and out) where I fly and I think they're a blast to fly.

[@David_seersy]

Where all the aircraft are moving about it has a lot to do with the wing loading of the decathlon vs the 152, if you put 2 identical aircraft in formation they will sit with a lot less perceived movement because they’re moving at the same rate in turbulence (no matter how little it is).

[@kaimalcolm8189]

Very nicely done Stef. You even got a mention in the latest Peninsula Aero Club Newsletter!

[@sactu1]

Yep, that's my next endorsement! Probably won't be able to do it in my own plane though : (

[@fukawi2]

I haven't done formation flying, but I've never wanted to be back in an aircraft more than watching this. Thanks Stefan!

[@spiro5327]

Looks like a lot of fun. Great view of other aircraft from above, and a good way to sharpen your flying skills.

[@spoon2730]

Wow. I think that sums this video up perfectly

[@High_Alpha]

Very cool, something that remains on my list to get. I'm wondering if the Cirrus would make a good formation machine? (Assuming of course you are with similar type aircraft) Stef, don't forget to change squawk codes as you exit/enter the zone at MB. Sorry, cheap point... won't be the first or the last to forget that one (I am also a member of that club, but with EN's 0100 instead!)... I see plenty of 3000's in the PF training area or on a navex and the occasional 1200 in the circuit there.

[@High_Alpha]

I think (or I'd like to think) I have the basic mechanics down as I fly some formation in some jet fighter sims (like DCS World)... but I'm sure it's different in real life, with the actual seat of the pants feel and having an aircraft RIGHT THERE!

[@mikercflyer7383]

Formation flying is so cool that what makes air shows so much fun to watch.

[@LeviAckerman-ec8wr]

*Congrats stefun i hope you go well in your life☺☺😀!*

[@rodblievers620]

Another great video..ca

[@rodblievers620]

Another go! Great video. I can’t help thinking that a 152 is possibly the worse aircraft to fly formation in; high wing and with little excess power available. “Flying as one great big aeroplane” is a very perceptive comment, particularly if you’re flying lead. Dissimilar types in formation is always more challenging, but I don’t think the difference in wing loading with the types shown would be that significant.

[@Marcfyve24]

Awesome video! I haven’t done close formation since UPT. I’m curious about what visual references you guys use on 172s to maintain “stack, line, and spacing”

[@fadedflage]

Yeah and what do the lag rolls look like haha

[@bendav]

Been looking forward to this one Stef! Looks like a lot of fun, but some stress as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@greg6229]

Love the vid, curious question about the flaps in the 152. I learnt takeoff with no flaps for 152s. Is this a personal choice or a procedure specific to formation takeoffs? I havent done formation flying yet.

[@madcableguy]

Greg Spencer short field take off is 10deg flaps in a 152

[@nicklaven3912]

Great video Stef. Really enjoyed this one.

[@milliwoggle]

Great to see these types of videos. I follow these guys on IG, so its nice to see them in your videos too. Do you know if the formation flying is a special endorsement, and can it be done with an RPL? I have seen some IG posts from pilots at Lilydale also doing some formation flying with the warriors there. After this inspiration I might have to give it a go!

[@StefanDrury]

Yeah the formation endorsement is an endorsement on your Part 61 license, it requires additional training but as Chris mentions at the end of the video you can do this with around 5 hours flying through PAC at Tyabb or other flight schools I'm sure. Not sure about the RPL question though, I'd give your local flying school a call and check with them.

[@williamcarter3949]

Oh wow!! Best vid yet keep up the the good work

[@kennethtappert3883]

Great video. I loved it.

[@brucefox6580]

Great Job Stef! My home port too.

[@aaronwilliamson1720]

That is so cool!

[@hgz8503]

Cool

[@hinhinxx]

This is AWESOME!

[@pzeston]

Stefan! An unreal video makes me excited to finish my private pilot. I and a friend who is also entering the field of aviation are heading out to Sydney to stay with family and dodge the Arizona heat, it would be unreal to do some sort of flight. No pressure, best wishes. Stay safe up there!

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Preston, enjoy your time over here in Australia. Sadly I'm not able to offer flights at this stage, however give Red Baron a look at Bankstown Airport in Western Sydney. See if you can get on one of their Harbour Scenic flights - that's an awesome way to see the Bridge and Harbour from 1,500 feet and they can even chuck in some aerobatics on the way home if you wanted. That's my old flight school, just friends of mine I'm not paid to say stuff like that 😀

[@pzeston]

Stefan Drury no big deal thank you for the unbiased recommendation & the quick reply! G’Day!

[@TREVORDAWSONTHD]

Awesome!

[@pbbrown1963]

Wow! Cool! Are you doing to do any aerobatics?

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Paul, I do have a basic aerobatics endorsement but haven't flown any aeros for over a year now. I did my aero training with Red Baron at Bankstown in Sydney. Awesome fun, and I'd really recommend it for any pilot out there.

[@jasonamos7902]

Excellent video! Well done with the editing.

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Jason, glad you enjoyed that one.

[@terrylanford6151]

B-roll and transitions are so clean. Unreal. Surely you do a tutorial for your cuts and b roll

[@StefanDrury]

Thanks Terry, yeah I could definitely do a video on my editing process and some of the techniques I use if that would be helpful.

[@terrylanford6151]

Stefan Drury that would be awesome

[@Aero360Aviation]

Looks like a blast!

[@StefanDrury]

It was such a good day, I really enjoyed flying with the team at Tyabb.